According to Caswell Gxowa of the movement, it is during their door-to-door campaigns that they are making these shocking discoveries, which need to be addressed by the communities.
“In one of the cases we are dealing with, a 76-year-old grandmother was burnt with hot water on the chest by her two grandchildren who wanted her pension money.
“When she refused to tell them where the money was, the one held the grandmother’s hands behind her back while the second one poured the water on her.
“As the water landed on her skin, the granny finally gave in and told them where the money was.
“What is most disturbing about this is that the one grandchild is 21 years old while the other one who assisted him is 12 years old,” says Gxowa.
He adds that in another case they recently walked in on a 33-year-old nyaope smoker who was attempting to rape a 73-year-old in her home.
“Luckily we arrived in time to save the woman as the door was open when we got there and we could hear her attempting to scream for help.
“The guy was then arrested for this crime on that same day,” he says.
Gxowa says they are pleading with communities to work together in caring for their elderly and for families to ensure that their senior members are not left alone to live with children or grandchildren who terrorise and abuse them.
